The short version
Uzbekistan is still a cash-friendly country. Cards work in hotels, good restaurants and big shops in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara — and fail in bazaars, taxis and small towns.
- Bring USD in cash (new, clean notes) and exchange at banks or official exchange points.
- Use ATMs inside bank branches (Kapitalbank machines are the most reliable for foreign cards).
- Keep a second card in a different place — machines occasionally retain cards and replacement takes 10–14 days.
- Everything booked with Ikat Travel is paid online in advance, so you only need cash for meals, souvenirs and tips.
Starter text based on traveller reports — review before publishing.